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The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women publishes The Femicide Report, a report on women and children murdered
in our state, to educate the public about the lethality of domestic violence and child abuse. We report on the murders of
women and children at the hands of abusers to direct attention to the challenges faced by all of the women and children
who are living with abuse and as a call to all Minnesotans to come together because it takes the entire community to end
violence.
A Challenge to Minnesota Communities 2
Women and Children Murdered in MN: 1989-2009 3
Key Femicide Statistics 6
Key Statistics Related to Children 11
Intimate Partner Femicides 15
Implications for the Community 17
Women Murdered 18
Children Murdered 20
Friends/Family/Interveners Murdered 22
Others Murdered 23
About the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women 25
Summary of Those Murdered in 2009 26
60 Plato Blvd., East Suite
130
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 646-6177 or (800) 289-6177
Fax: (651) 646-1527
Web: www.mcbw.org
We remember our mothers, our fathers, We remember our mothers, our fathers, We remember our mothers, our fathers, We remember our mothers, our fathers, our sisters, our brothers, our daughters, our sisters, our brothers, our daughters, our sisters, our brothers, our daughters, our sisters, our brothers, our daughters, our sons, our wives, our husbands, our our sons, our wives, our husbands, our our sons, our wives, our husbands, our our sons, our wives, our husbands, our intimate partners, our family members, intimate partners, our family members, intimate partners, our family members, intimate partners, our family members,
our friends, our neighbors, our coour friends, our neighbors, our coour friends, our neighbors, our coour friends, our neighbors, our co----workersworkersworkersworkers, , , , our fellow Minnesotans...our fellow Minnesotans...our fellow Minnesotans...our fellow Minnesotans...
Inside This Report
2009 Femicide Report
MINNESOTA COALITION FOR BATTERED WOMEN
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A Challenge to MinnA Challenge to MinnA Challenge to MinnA Challenge to Minnesota Communitiesesota Communitiesesota Communitiesesota Communities
We challenge communities to respond to battered women and their children by investing in funding for safe shelter
and advocacy services, prevention education for all elementary and secondary students, laws to protect women and
children, effective enforcement of those laws, and aggressive prosecution of all domestic assault crimes and all
prostitution crimes targeting perpetrators, pimps, and “johns”.
Domestic violence and domestic homicide have a devastating effect on every person living in Minnesota. Each of
the victims whose story is told here was someone’s daughter, son, mother, father, sister, brother, family member,
intimate partner, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. An abusive relationship that ends in the murder of the victim
illustrates the failure of our systems and society to respond to the needs of battered women and abused children.
We pledge to remember the women, children, family members, and friends who die each year from domestic
violence and child abuse, as well as the women and children used in prostitution and sex trafficking, who are also
battered women and abused children in need of protection from abuse.
Though MCBW tracks all homicides in which the known or suspected perpetrator was a family member, a
household member, or a caregiver, we want to pay special attention to battered women murdered by intimate
partners, as these cases account for the majority of murders of women in the United States and in Minnesota. Of the
18 adults killed in 2009 due to familial and domestic violence, 12 were women killed by a current or former intimate
partner.
When we use the terms battering and domestic violence, we are referring to the pattern of violence that affects the
level of fear and quality of life for all women. It encompasses both physical and sexual violence and includes
pervasive emotional abuse and threats; control over finances and access to transportation; manipulation of and often
harm to the children; and social norms that persist today that a man has the right to put his partner in her place.
While these same dynamics are also present in same sex relationships and on rare occasions women use similar
tactics against their male partners, it is the broader social institutions that support this pervasive and historically
sanctioned pattern of behavior that MCBW seeks to change.
In reporting the total number of deaths, it is important to note that at least this many women and children have been
murdered. We cannot be certain we have not missed some deaths since we must use a method of data collection that
primarily relies on news accounts. No state or federal agency collects comprehensive data on domestic homicides. In
addition, the murders of women and children of color, Native American women and children, immigrant and refugee
women and children, women and children living in poverty, rural women, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender people,
and women and children used in prostitution and sex trafficking may be underreported in our listing as they
frequently go unreported in mainstream media.
The 2009 Femicide Report is compiled from news accounts. Please contact MCBW if we have missed a death or if
you have updated or more complete information on any femicide.
We ask that the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women be credited when information from this report is used.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Women and Children Murdered in Minnesota:Women and Children Murdered in Minnesota:Women and Children Murdered in Minnesota:Women and Children Murdered in Minnesota:
1989198919891989----2009200920092009
1989 At least 18 women died from domestic violence*
1990 At least 26 women died from domestic violence
1991 At least 12 women died from domestic violence
1992 At least 31 women died from domestic violence
At least 8 children died from child abuse**
At least 3 women were murdered while being used in prostitution***
At least 2 family members/friends were murdered by a woman’s current or former partner****
1993 At least 28 women died from domestic violence
At least 13 children died from child abuse
At least 6 women were murdered while being used in prostitution
At least 5 family members/friends were murdered
1994 At least 19 women died from domestic violence
At least 7 children died from child abuse
At least 2 women were murdered while being used in prostitution
1995 At least 29 women died from domestic violence
At least 11 children died from child abuse
1996 At least 22 women died from domestic violence
At least 17 children died from child abuse
At least 6 women were murdered while being used in prostitution
1997 At least 17 women died from domestic violence
At least 5 children died from child abuse
1998 At least 22 women died from domestic violence
At least 15 children died from child abuse
1999 At least 22 women died from domestic abuse
At least 20 children died from child abuse
2000 At least 40 women died from domestic violence
At least 6 children died from child abuse
At least 1 family member was murdered
2001 At least 33 women died from domestic violence
At least 12 children died from child abuse
At least 6 family members/friends were murdered
2002 At least 16 women died from domestic violence
At least 13 children died from child abuse
2003 At least 14 women died from domestic violence
At least 10 children died from child abuse
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2004 At least 13 women died from domestic violence
At least 11 children died from child abuse
At least 3 family members/friends were murdered
2005 At least 26 women died from domestic violence
At least 1 women was murdered while being used in prostitution
At least 4 children died from child abuse
At least 2 family members/friends were murdered
2006 At least 20 women died from domestic violence
At least 20 children died from child abuse
At least 1 family member/friend was murdered
2007 At least 22 women died from domestic violence
At least 10 children died from child abuse
At least 3 family members/friends were murdered
2008 At least 23 women died from domestic violence
At least 7 children died from child abuse
At least 2 family members/friends were murdered
At least 1 man died from domestic violence from his male partner
2009 At least 12 women died from domestic violence
At least 10 children died from child abuse
At least 2 family member/friends/intervener were murdered
At least 1 man died from domestic violence
*Cases of women murdered where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was a current of former husband,
boyfriend, intimate partner, household member, or family member.
**Cases of children murdered where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was the father, mother,
guardian, babysitter, child care provider, or household/family member of the child; or the perpetrator was the
parent’s spouse or intimate partner.
***MCBW recognized prostitution as a system of violence against women and children.
****Cases of family or friends murdered in domestic violence-related situations.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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______________________________________________________________________________
In Minnesota in 2009In Minnesota in 2009In Minnesota in 2009In Minnesota in 2009
At least 12 women
Were murdered in cases where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was a current or
former husband, boyfriend, or intimate partner.
At least 10 children under the age of 18
Were murdered in cases where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was the father,
mother, guardian, or household/family member of the child, or the perpetrator was the parent’s
spouse or intimate partner.
At least 2 friends, family members or interveners
Were murdered in domestic violence-related situations.
At least 1 man
Was murdered in a case where the suspected, alleged, or convicted perpetrator was a current or
former intimate partner.
At least 8 children
Were left motherless due to their mothers’ domestic violence murders.
At least 3 additional women
Were murdered by a family member or an intimate partner of a family member.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Femicide ReportFemicide ReportFemicide ReportFemicide Report::::
Adult Victims and Adult Victims and Adult Victims and Adult Victims and RelationshipRelationshipRelationshipRelationship to to to to the Allegedthe Allegedthe Allegedthe Alleged PerpetratorsPerpetratorsPerpetratorsPerpetrators
2009
Relationship to
Victim
# % of Total Name of Victim
Current or former
boyfriend or
Husband
12 67% Kathryn Rose Anderson
Brittany Givens-Copeland
Heather Rose McPherson
Jody Lee Morrow
Sharon Kathleen Nyren
Candice L. Ouellette
Trudy Kline Propps
Lori Roberts
Pamela A. Taschuk
Tina Marie Tracy
Jean A. Wassernaar
Erica Ann Wilson
Son 1 5% Marianne Fogolin
Brother 1 5% Tobista Beyena Mokonnen
Wife 1 5% Michael Albert
Other 3 17% Officer Richard Crittenden (killed by criminal
suspect)
Jennifer Linnear (killed by husband’s
girlfriend)
Seth Savang (killed by mother’s boyfriend)
Total: 18
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Key Femicide Statistics (2007Key Femicide Statistics (2007Key Femicide Statistics (2007Key Femicide Statistics (2007----2009)2009)2009)2009)
Adult Adult Adult Adult WWWWomen Murdered by a Current oomen Murdered by a Current oomen Murdered by a Current oomen Murdered by a Current orrrr Former Intimate Former Intimate Former Intimate Former Intimate
PPPPartner artner artner artner
Femicides and Cause of DeathFemicides and Cause of DeathFemicides and Cause of DeathFemicides and Cause of Death
2007 2008 2009
Cause of
Death
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
Name of Victim
Gunshot 8 36% 9 43% 6 50% Heather Rose McPherson
Sharon Kathleen Nyren
Trudy Kline Propps
Lori Roberts
Pamela A. Taschuk
Erica Ann Wilson
Stabbing 6 27% 4 19% 1 8% Kathryn Rose Anderson
Strangulation
2 9% 3 14% 2 17% Brittany Givens-Copeland
Candice L. Ouelette
Beating 1 5% 3 14% 2 17% Jody Lee Morrow
Jean A. Wassernaar
Arson 1 5% - - - -
Vehicle 2 9% - - 1 8% Tina Marie Tracy
Sexual Assault - - 1 5% - -
Unknown 2 9% 1 5% - -
Total: 22 21 12
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Geographic Location of VictimGeographic Location of VictimGeographic Location of VictimGeographic Location of Victim
2007 2008 2009
Location of
Victim
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
Name of Victim
Twin Cities
Metro Area*
16 73% 15 71% 6 50% Brittany Givens-Copeland
Heather Rose McPherson
Trudy Kline Propps
Pamela A. Taschuk
Jean A. Wassernaar
Erica Ann Wilson
Greater
Minnesota
6 27% 6 29% 6 50% Kathryn Rose Anderson
Jody Lee Morrow
Sharon Kathleen Nyren
Candice L. Ouellette
Lori Roberts
Tina Marie Tracy
Total: 22 21 12
*Twin Cities Metro Area includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties.
According to the 2000 United States census, approximately 60% of Minnesota’s population lives in the Twin Cities
area and 40% lives in Greater Minnesota.
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2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
Victim was Victim was Victim was Victim was SSSSeparatedeparatedeparatedeparated from Perpetrator from Perpetrator from Perpetrator from Perpetrator
or Attempting to Leaveor Attempting to Leaveor Attempting to Leaveor Attempting to Leave
2007 2008 2009
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
Name of Victim
Separated or
attempting to
leave
7
42% 13 62% 8 67% Kathryn Rose Anderson
Brittany Givens-Copland
Heather Rose McPherson
Jody Lee Morrow
Candice L. Ouellette
Lori Roberts
Pamela A. Taschuk
Erica Ann Wilson
Together or
Unknown
10 45% 7 33% 4 33% Sharon Kathleen Nyren
Trudy Kline Propps
Tina Marie Tracy
Jean A. Wassenaar
Not
applicable
5 1 5%
Total:
22
21
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2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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History of ViolenceHistory of ViolenceHistory of ViolenceHistory of Violence
2007 2008 2009
History of Violence % of
Total
% of
Total
% of
Total
Name of Victim
Known to have
abused victim or
prior victim
7 27% 10 48% 6 50% Kathryn Rose Anderson
Jody Lee Morrow
Candice L. Ouellette
Lori Roberts
Pamela A. Taschuk
Tina Marie Tracy
Prior Law
Enforcement
involvement or OFP
7 27% 1 5% 3 25% Jody Lee Morrow
Candice L. Ouellette
Pamela A. Taschuk
Unknown 14 63%
10 48% 6 50% Brittany Givens-Copeland
Heather Rose McPherson
Sharon Kathleen Nyren
Trudy Kline Propps
Jean A. Wassenaar
Erica Ann Wilson
Total: 28 21 12
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2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Key Statistics Related to ChildrenKey Statistics Related to ChildrenKey Statistics Related to ChildrenKey Statistics Related to Children Number of BoysNumber of BoysNumber of BoysNumber of Boys ---- 7777
Number of GirlsNumber of GirlsNumber of GirlsNumber of Girls –––– 3333
2007 2008 2009
Cause of
Death
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
Name of Victim
Stabbing 1 10% 1 14% - -
Beating 5 50% 5 71% 7 70% Baby Hanson
Alexander Heikes
Jaden Zander Hummel-Smith
Nicholas Miller
Julia Leigh Rivera
Baby Shaw
Julian James-Robert Williams
Vehicle 1 10% - - - -
Shot - - - - - -
Poison 1 10% 1 10% Michael Vonheath Becht, Jr.
(drug overdose)
Drowning 1 10% 1 14% - -
Suffocation - - - - 1 10% Willie Ervin Franklin IV
Burns - - - - - -
Unknown - - - - 1 10% Avory Rafferty
TOTAL 10
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Children Murdered and Alleged PerpetratorsChildren Murdered and Alleged PerpetratorsChildren Murdered and Alleged PerpetratorsChildren Murdered and Alleged Perpetrators
2007 2008 2009
Relationship to
Victim #
% of
Total #
% of
Total #
% of
Total Name of Victim
Father 5 50% 1 29% 4 40% Willie Ervin Franklin IV
Alexander Heikes
Jaden Zander Hummel-Smith
Avory Rafferty
Mother 2 20% - - 2 20% Michael Vonheath Becht, Jr.
Julia Leigh Rivera
Mother's current or
former boyfriend
or husband
1 10% 3 29% 3 30% Baby Hanson
Nicholas Miller
Baby Shaw
Childcare
provider/family of
childcare provider
1 10% 2 29% - -
Father or Current
Wife/Girlfriend
- - - - - -
Unknown 1 10% - - 1 10% Julian James-Robert Williams
Total: 10 6 10
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Children Murdered and Geographic Location of VictimChildren Murdered and Geographic Location of VictimChildren Murdered and Geographic Location of VictimChildren Murdered and Geographic Location of Victim
2007 2008 2009
Location of
Victim
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total Name of Victim
Twin Cities
Metro Area*
6 60% 2 29% 7 70% Michael Vonheath Becht, Jr.
Willie Ervin Franklin IV
Alexander Heikes
Jaden Zander Hummel-Smith
Julia Leigh Rivera
Baby Shaw
Julian James-Robert Williams
Greater
Minnesota
4 40% 5 71% 3
30%
Baby Hanson
Nicholas Miller
Avory Rafferty
Total: 10 7 10
*Twin Cities Metro Area includes Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and
Washington Counties
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2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
Murder of Mothers and Effect on ChiMurder of Mothers and Effect on ChiMurder of Mothers and Effect on ChiMurder of Mothers and Effect on Childrenldrenldrenldren
2007 2008 2009
Children
# % of
Total
# % of
Total
# % of
Total Name of Victim
Murders of
mothers or minor
children
16 11 52% 5 42% Brittany Givens-Copeland
Heather Rose McPherson
Jody Lee Morrow
Candice L. Ouelette
Pamela A. Taschuk
Number of minor
children who lost
mother At least:
24 25 8 Brittany Givens-Copeland (1)
Heather Rose McPherson (1)
Jody Lee Morrow (2)
Candice L. Ouellette (3)
Pamela A. Taschuk (1)
Number of adult
children who lost
mother (not
including adult
child identified as
the killer)
6 - 9 Sharon Kathleen Nyren (3)
Lori Roberts (1)
Erica Ann Wilson (3)
Pamela A. Taschuk (1)
Jean A. Wassenaar (1)
Child(ren) present
at time of murder
or discovered the
body
7 6 2 Candice L. Ouellette
*This represents the percentage of cases in which the woman who was killed was a mother.
There were 16 such cases
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Intimate Partner FemicidesIntimate Partner FemicidesIntimate Partner FemicidesIntimate Partner Femicides
In this report we pay special attention to battered women murdered by intimate partners, as these
cases account for the majority of murder of women in the United States and in Minnesota. There
were 12 women murdered in Minnesota in 2009 by a current or former intimate partner.
Red Flags for Batterer Lethality
It is impossible to predict with certainty which batterers will become lethal to their victims. All
batterers should be viewed as potentially deadly, though there are well-documented indicators of
lethality of which everyone should be aware. Included in the factors that have been identified as
possible lethality indicators are: separation, extended history of domestic violence or other
violence, pregnancy, threats or fantasies of homicide or suicide, access to a firearm, threats to
use a weapon, stalking, attempted strangulation, forced sex, extreme jealousy and control of
daily activities.
For the past few years, MCBW has analyzed the femicides to see whether any of the lethality
factors were present. In assessing for lethality factors, MCBW relied almost entirely on media
reports of the homicides. In 2006, MCBW began compiling information of the frequency with
which lethality factors occurred, specifically focusing on four of those factors: the victim’s
attempts to leave the abuser, previous threats to kill the victim, perpetrator access to firearms,
and perpetrator history of violence. Results from the 2006 - 2008 Femicide Reports indicate that
the Minnesota femicides from the past years were consistent with those four factors. Again in
2009, these lethality factors were present in a significant number of cases. We would expect that
a more complete analysis of public records and interviews with friends and family of the victims
would yield further information on other red flags. Sadly, our examination is retrospective only.
What these femicide reports suggest is that we should routinely inquire of battered women when
they reach out for help about the presence of any of these risk factors so that future homicides
may be avoided.
Victim’s Attempts to Leave the Abuse: While conventional wisdom persists that leaving an
abuser will always make a battered women safer, separation often increases the risks of further
harm, as batterers “step up” their efforts to control or intimidate the victim. In 2009, 67% of the
intimate partner femicides occurred after the woman had left the relationship or when she was
attempting to leave. In 2008, 62% of the femcides occurred when the victim was separated or
was attempting to separate from the batterer at the time of the murder. This is similar to the 8 of
17 intimate partner femicides (47%) in 2006 and the 42% in 2007 and supports the national
studies indicating that the most dangerous time for battered women can be when they leave the
batterer.
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Threats to Kill the Victim: Threats by the abuser to kill the victim are among the most reliable
indicators or lethality, and are the most often overlooked by the criminal and civil justice
systems. A review of the media reports of the 2009 murders does not reveal information on the
threats to kill. What we do know is that 50% of the victims had experienced prior abuse. Of those
women, three had active no-contact orders in place at the time of their murders. We can only
surmise that threats to kill may have been part of the prior abuse in these cases.
Access to Firearms: In 2009, 6 of12 (50%) intimate partner femicides were committed with
firearms, in comparison to 11 of 17 (65%) in 2006, 8 of 22 (36%) in 2007 and 9 of 21 (43%) in
2008. While the percentage of femicides using firearms fluctuates year to year, murder with
firearms is the most frequent weapon of choice, supporting the studies showing that possession
of firearms can greatly increase the risk of lethality.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Implications for the Community In some intimate partner femicides examined for this report, there were no known red flags for
potential lethality. However, in the majority, at least one of the leading lethality indicators was
present. As a community, we should not assume that there is nothing we can do to prevent
intimate partner homicides. While the ultimate responsibility for these murders rests with the
perpetrators alone, opportunities for meaningful intervention in many of these cases were missed.
Especially in the cases in which the victim reached out for help, we should examine the reasons
why our systems ultimately failed to protect those victims from lethal violence.
Assess Batterer Lethality at Every OpportunityAssess Batterer Lethality at Every OpportunityAssess Batterer Lethality at Every OpportunityAssess Batterer Lethality at Every Opportunity:
In every circumstance in which battered women or abusers encounter the criminal justice system,
the civil or family court, or an advocacy program, a concerted effort should be made to assess
potential lethality. Many excellent assessment tools already exist, and most rely on a routine,
direct inquiry of the victim as to the presence of lethality indicators. In some cases, a review of
public records would create sufficient concern to assess a high risk of lethality. Criminal
proceedings do not represent the sole opportunity to assess batterer lethality. When battered
women seek protection orders, are involved in family court proceedings, or seek services from
community advocacy programs, an active, routine inquiry as to the potential lethality of batterers
is critical to protecting the lives of battered women. At the end of December 2009, the Gender
Fairness Implementation Committee of the Minnesota Supreme Court Administration released a
Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Bench Guide. This assessment tool was distributed to every
state court judge, referee and magistrate. This is a great step forward with regard to assessment.
The next step will be for judges and all practitioners who appear before the court, to receive
training on the use of this risk assessment tool.
Demand the Resources to Hold Batterers Accountable:Demand the Resources to Hold Batterers Accountable:Demand the Resources to Hold Batterers Accountable:Demand the Resources to Hold Batterers Accountable:
Assessing for lethality will have minimal impact unless we have the resources to effectively
apprehend, monitor and, when necessary, incarcerate dangerous batterers. The role of the
battered women’s advocate in the criminal justice system is to insist on batterer accountability at
every opportunity, and to hold systems accountable when they fail. Law enforcement, the courts,
and battered women’s advocacy programs all struggle to meet the public safety needs of the
community with limited resources. An investment in the whole spectrum of public safety
systems is necessary to identify, monitor, and apprehend the most dangerous offenders.
If a risk assessment is appropriately applied to all domestic violence cases, if the criminal justice
system has the tools necessary to increase safety and advocacy programs and legal systems are
adequately funded, then we should see better responses to high risk offenders and increased
safety for battered women.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
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Women murdeWomen murdeWomen murdeWomen murdered in cases where the suspected, alleged, or red in cases where the suspected, alleged, or red in cases where the suspected, alleged, or red in cases where the suspected, alleged, or
convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband, convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband, convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband, convicted perpetrator was a current or former husband,
boyfriend, or intimate partner.boyfriend, or intimate partner.boyfriend, or intimate partner.boyfriend, or intimate partner.
Tina Marie Tracy
18
Virginia
January 11
On the night of January 9, Tina was in a car with her boyfriend, Randon Konecny,
on Highway 7 near Iron, Minnesota. He was driving about 50 miles per hour while
they apparently were arguing. Tracy "fell" from the car, never gained
consciousness, and died two days later after having been airlifted to a hospital in
Duluth. There was insufficient evidence for the county attorney to press charges
against Konecny.
Brittany Givens-
Copeland
24
Bloomington
January 25
Adam Williams lured Brittany Givens-Copeland to his Burnsville apartment and
then ambushed her at the door. He strangled her with neckties. Afterward he
committed suicide by setting fire to his apartment. Brittany had dated Williams a
short time but had decided to end the relationship. Brittany is survived by her son,
Christian, who was four months old at the time of her death.
Sharon Kathleen
Nyren
67
Fairhaven
Township
February 24
Dale M. Nyren shot and killed his wife, Sharon in their home with a .22 caliber
revolver. Dale admitted having an argument with Sharon, that he first shot her in
the knee and then a few minutes later, he shot her in the head. Dale is charged
with second degree murder. Dale Nyren pled guilty to second-degree murder
charges in August. Sharon is survived by three sons, five grandchildren, a great
grandchild, and siblings.
Heather Rose
McPherson
24
Plymouth
April 19
Heather went to the McDonald's in Maple Grove where she had agreed to meet
Sedric Jerome Larkins. Sedric had been her on-again/off-again boyfriend for about
a year and she was about to end the relationship. While still in the parking lot,
Sedric shot her. After she fell to the ground, Sedric shot her at least once more. He
fled the scene and quickly was seen speeding on the interstate where he was
pulled over. When the police officer approached the car, he found Sedric dead
from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Heather is survived by her nine-year old
daughter, Alexandra, her parents, siblings, and grandparents.
Jody Lee Morrow
38
Albert Lea
June 21
On June 21 at 1:00 a.m. Chad Jamie Gulbertson went to Jody’s home in violation of
the order for protection that Jody had obtained on June 1st. He killed her by hitting
her in the head with a ball peen hammer. Legal documents show that he had
physically abused and threatened to kill her in the past. Gulbertson turned himself
in to the police later that morning. The police found Jody lying on the floor in front
of her wheelchair. The floor and the wheelchair were covered in blood. Gulbertson
has been charged with one count of second-degree murder while under a
restraining order for protection and one count of third-degree murder. Jody is
survived by two sons, ages 10 and 12.
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Erica Ann Wilson
38
Circle Pines
July 30
Erica had left her partner of 25 years, James H. Schwartzbauer, a week earlier. She
had not told him where she was going and left behind her cell phone. He tracked
her down less than a week later. Neighbors heard them arguing on the evening of
July 29. Early the next morning, Schwartzbauer was waiting to confront her in the
parking lot of her apartment complex. Neighbors heard them arguing, one saw him
grab her and throw her against a car with a gun to her head. Neighbors started
shouting and called 911. He moved Erica into a breezeway. Neighbors heard
gunshots. Schwartzbauer murdered Erica and then turned the gun on himself,
committing suicide. Erica is survived by three adult sons, a sister, and her mother.
Candice L.
Ouellette
38
Harris
August 5
Douglas Ouellette strangled his wife, Candice, in the kitchen of his home while his
frightened twin daughters hid upstairs and called 911. Douglas ran away to a barn
on their land and hanged himself. Candice had obtained an OFP and filed for
divorce in June. At that time, the sheriff took Douglas's guns from him because he
had threatened suicide and because Candice became concerned when she saw
that he had loaded his guns with enough ammunition to kill everyone in the family.
Candice is survived by her twin daughters (eight years old), her son (ten years old),
her parents, and two siblings.
Pamela A. Taschuk
48
Lino Lakes
October 1
In the two months prior to her death, Pamela tried to protect herself from her
abusive husband, Allen Taschuk. Over their 23-year marriage he had hit, punched,
pushed, and held her captive many, many times and had threatened to kill her at
least four times. On August 26, Allen was arrested for domestic assault and false
imprisonment. Two days later he was released from jail without conditions after
posting $5,000 bail. Pamela obtained an Order for Protection on September 10 and
filed for divorce on September 25. After she returned to her home on October 1st
from a support-group meeting at a battered women’s shelter, Allen came to her
home and shot her, called 911, and then shot himself. She is survived by her sons,
Ryan and Josh, her parents, her siblings, and three stepsons, as well as other dear
family members and friends.
Lori Roberts
49
Doran
October 2
On October 2nd, Lori Roberts was found dead from a gunshot wound. Wilkin County
authorities have ruled the death a homicide but have not yet arrested anyone for
the murder. The family of Lori Roberts says there is no doubt who killed her.
Roberts’ family claims her ex-boyfriend killed her. They say the ex-boyfriend was
there when she was shot and then made the 911 call in the morning. Lori Roberts
had recently broken up with the boyfriend. Lori had paid for a deposit on an
apartment for the ex-boyfriend but he had not yet moved out.
Jean A.
Wassenaar
67
St. Paul
November 2
Gerald Wassenaar killed his wife, Jean A. Wassenaar. The police found Jean
in her home with multiple traumatic injuries to her head and neck. Ramsey
county authorities have charged Gerald with unintentional second-degree
murder. Jean had a long history of volunteerism in Minneapolis. She is
survived by one son.
20
Kathryn Rose
Anderson
19
Morris
December 3
Katie had moved from Morris to the Twin Cities earlier this year to attend Le
Cordon Bleu College where she was studying to be a pastry chef. Everyone knew
how much she loved fishing, hunting, and wintry weather. After Ryan Hurd, her
estranged boyfriend, had assaulted her on October 29th, Katie obtained a no-
contact order in Dakota County. He apparently had assaulted her earlier in October
also. On December 3rd, a passerby found Katie lying in a ditch on a gravel road
outside Owatonna. The autopsy indicates that Hurd had stabbed her 109 times and
that she had deep abrasions on her body consistent with being thrown onto a
gravel surface and sliding along the surface. She died from both the wounds and
exposure. Hurd left the state and went back to his family in Tulsa, Oklahoma where
he was apprehended. He has confessed to stabbing her and leaving her. He faces
second-degree murder charges.
Trudy Kline Propps
62
Stillwater
December 11
Trudy was trying to get her husband Gerald Propps to the hospital. She believed he
was "out of his mind," according to the 911 call she made, because he was
dehydrated and in need of nutrition. While on the 911 call, Gerald shot her in the
back. Trudy's daughter Beth dragged her out of the apartment as she continued to
talk to the 911 dispatcher. When the police arrived, Gerald shot his gun again and
refused to put it down. The police shot him dead. Trudy was pronounced dead at
the hospital a few hours after the incident began. Trudy is survived by three
children and six grandchildren.
Minor cMinor cMinor cMinor children murdered in cases where the suspected, hildren murdered in cases where the suspected, hildren murdered in cases where the suspected, hildren murdered in cases where the suspected,
alleged, or convicted perpetrator waalleged, or convicted perpetrator waalleged, or convicted perpetrator waalleged, or convicted perpetrator was the father, mother, s the father, mother, s the father, mother, s the father, mother,
guardian guardian guardian guardian or household/family member of the child, or the or household/family member of the child, or the or household/family member of the child, or the or household/family member of the child, or the
perpetrator was the parent’s spouse or intperpetrator was the parent’s spouse or intperpetrator was the parent’s spouse or intperpetrator was the parent’s spouse or intimate partner.imate partner.imate partner.imate partner.
Baby Shaw
2 months
St. Paul
March 4
Rebecca Shaw returned home on February 27th from work to find her 2-month old
daughter in distress and having difficulty breathing. Louis Darcell Jones had been
caring for the baby while Rebecca was at work. Rebecca's daughter was taken off
of life support on March 4th. An autopsy showed that she died from internal
injuries and trauma to her head. Jones has been charged by Ramsey County
prosecutors with second-degree unintentional murder.
Julia Leigh Rivera
15 months
Richfield
March 31
Julia died at Children's Hospital after she was brought there by ambulance on
March 26. She suffered from a massive brain swelling, tearing in her retinas, fixed
pupils, and a skull fracture caused by a hard object. Julia's pediatrician reports that
when he saw her on March 24th that she was alert and had no injuries. On the
morning of March 26th, Julia's mother, Rachel Reeves, brought her to her baby
sitter. She put her in a crib and gave the sitter directions for her care when Julia
woke up. The sitter looked in on her in about 15 minutes and knew something was
terribly wrong. The sitter and her son called 911 and performed CPR until the
emergency responders arrived. In late September, authorities had sufficient
evidence to charge Rachel Reeves with second-degree murder.
21
Nicholas Miller
18 months
Northfield
June 23
Nicholas died from beatings from his stepfather, Tylar James Hokanson.
Nicholas had suffered a broken collarbone twice and had been seen bruised
and bloodied in the months leading up to his death. When questioned
about it Hokanson blamed Nicholas's biological father. He later admitted to
having shaken Nicholas for no less than ten or fifteen minutes. The shaking
broke his thoracic vertebrae in the middle of his back, which led to
lymphatic fluid filling his chest cavity making it difficult for him to breathe.
His condition, including bleeding in his brain, continued to deteriorate over
a four-day period, but he never received medical attention. Nicholas died in
Wisconsin at the home of his stepfather's family. Authorities there
contacted the Dakota County Sheriff's office; because they believe the
beating took place in Dakota County. Hokanson has been indicted on first-
degree murder charges.
Alexander Heikes
7 weeks
Minneapolis
July 4
Alexander Heikes killed his infant son and namesake by squeezing his
abdomen so hard that the infant's liver and spleen were lacerated and bled
into his abdominal cavity. When Heikes woke up several hours later with
the baby laying on his chest, the baby was dead. The medical authorities
also identified a dozen healing rib fractures from earlier abuse. Heikes has
been charged with unintentional second-degree homicide. Baby Alexander
is survived by his mother.
Baby Hanson
2 years Cannon
Falls
July 5
Baby Hanson, who would have been three years old on July 15, 2009 died
from a severe abusive traumatic head injury. Emergency personnel took her
to the hospital on July 1 from her home in Cannon Falls. She died on July
5th. Justin David Lake, her mother's boyfriend, has been charged with first
degree assault and malicious punishment of a child.
Michael Vonheath
Becht, Jr.
10
South St. Paul
July 6
Michael's mother, Patricia Ann Becht, gave him and his 11-year old sister an
overdose of the medication that his mother had been taking to treat her bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia. His mother also attempted suicide using the same
drugs. She and her daughter survived. Becht pled guilty to second-degree murder
and attempted second-degree murder.
Jaden Zander
Hummel-Smith
8 months
Bloomington
August 22
Jaden's mother went out shopping, leaving him with his father, Jesse D.
Hummel. When she returned, she found Jaden dead in his crib. The
coroner's report indicates that Jaden died of complex homicidal violence.
He had bruises to his head, neck and body. The trauma observed was
consistent with violent shaking. Hummel has been charged with first-degree
murder. Jaden is survived by his mother and brother.
22
Willie Ervin
Franklin IV
4 months
Golden Valley
August 28
Willie Ervin Franklin III admitted to having thrown a baby bottle at his son
when he was crying and hit him in the head. His son started crying
uncontrollably. Franklin then suffocated his son by placing him facedown on
a pillow on the couch covering him head-to-toe with a quilt and leaving him
there while he went into the bedroom for about 30 minutes where he
smoked marijuana and called a sex-related line. Franklin pled guilty to
second-degree manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing.
Julian James-
Robert Williams
2
Saint Paul
September 10
2 year old Julian James-Robert Williams died as a result of lacerations to his
liver and pancreas, as a result of a beating. Julian was taken into St Paul
Children’s hospital after a 911 call to his home, where he underwent
surgery for the injuries but he did not survive.
Avory Rafferty
3 months
Ortonville
October 30
Zachary Rafferty, age 19, the father of Avory was arrested and charged with
second degree murder for the death of his son.
FriendsFriendsFriendsFriends---- FFFFamily membersamily membersamily membersamily members---- IntervenersIntervenersIntervenersInterveners murdered in domestic murdered in domestic murdered in domestic murdered in domestic
violenceviolenceviolenceviolence----related situations:related situations:related situations:related situations: Savang Sath
27
Big Lake
March 28
Savang died from two gunshot wounds to his head after he confronted his
mother's boyfriend, Peter Tek, when Tek was physically fighting with her. His
mother had suffered head injuries. After Tek shot Savang, he kidnapped Savang's
mother and engaged in a police chase down I-94. After Tek was stopped and police
engaged in negotiations, he released Savang's mother who was then hospitalized.
Tek stayed in the car and committed suicide with the same gun that he had used to
kill Savang.
23
Officer Richard
Crittenden
57
North St. Paul
September 7
Officer Richard Crittenden responded to a call at the home of Stacy Terry for a
violation of an Order for Protection which was issued in May against Devon
Dockery. Dockery was arrested for violating the order on May 18th and again on
August 26th. The police had also gone to the home on September 6th but Dockery
had already fled. Dockery had a long history of abuse against his estranged wife.
The criminal complaints indicate that he had physically abused and made
terroristic threats against his wife over the past nine years and she had obtained at
least four Orders for Protection against him. On the morning of September 7th,
Stacey Terry called the police because she feared Dockery was inside her
apartment waiting to ambush her and her daughter. When Officer Crittenden,
along with another officer Stacey and her daughter entered the apartment,
Dockery charged at the group with an accelerant-soaked flaming rag. Officer
Crittenden pushed Stacey and her daughter into a safe place in the kitchen while
he and the other officer fought Dockery in the living room. Dockery burned Officer
Crittenden on his head. In the melee, Dockery was able to grab the officer’s gun
and shoot Officer Crittenden in the head at close range. The other officer also
suffered a gunshot wound to her arm as she and Dockery exchanged gun shots.
Both Officer Crittenden and Dockery were pronounced dead at the scene. Richard
Crittenden is survived by a son, stepdaughter, wife and four grandchildren.
Women murdered by other fWomen murdered by other fWomen murdered by other fWomen murdered by other family memberamily memberamily memberamily members or intimates of s or intimates of s or intimates of s or intimates of
family membersfamily membersfamily membersfamily members::::
Jennifer Linnear
26
St. Paul
March 5
Whitney Tanee Kizart, who was the girlfriend of Jennifer's husband, Robert
Linnear, stabbed Jennifer when Jennifer and Robert went to her apartment. Kizart
met them outside her apartment armed with a kitchen knife. During the
confrontation, Kizart stabbed Jennifer, penetrating her heart and lungs. When
Jennifer arrived at the hospital, she was unconscious, had no pulse, and was
pronounced dead. Jennifer is survived by five children between the ages of 2 and
10. Another daughter, age 1 1/2, had died in the summer of 2008 from leukemia.
Kizart has been charged by Ramsey County prosecutors with second-degree
murder.
Marianne Fogolin
69
Eagan
Approximately
April 5
On April 22, police were asked to do a welfare check at the apartment of Marianne
Fogolin. She lived there with her son Robert Ament. The police found Marianne
dead from a gunshot wound and Robert dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities believe Marianne had been dead for at least two weeks before her
body was found. She is survived by her twin sister and two daughters and by many
friends from the Red Hat Society and from her activities at the Eagan Senior
Center.
24
Tobista Beyena
Mokonnen
22
Richfield
May 2
Tobista's brother, Guuci, confronted her in the parking lot of her apartment
complex while she held her eight-month old child. Police reports indicate that he
was angry with her because she wouldn't let him move in with her. He stabbed her
with a paring knife in the hand, head, back, and neck as she held her baby. Her
blood-curdling screams were heard on a 911 call. She was dead when the police
arrived. Guuci had fled the scene, but he soon called the police and admitted he
had killed his sister. He is charged with first-degree murder and is currently held on
$2 million bail. The father of Tobista's infant is now caring for the child.
Men murdered by Intimate Partners Men murdered by Intimate Partners Men murdered by Intimate Partners Men murdered by Intimate Partners
Matthew David
Albert
27
Shooks
October 21
On October 20, Betsy Marie Hanks, shot her partner, Matthew David Albert, once
in the head while he was in bed. Matthew died on October 21 at a Twin Cities
hospital without every regaining consciousness. He is survived by four minor
children, ages 6 years, 5 years, 3 years and 18 months. Hanks is charged with
second degree intentional murder.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
25
______________________________________________________________________________
About the Minnesota Coalition for Battered WomenAbout the Minnesota Coalition for Battered WomenAbout the Minnesota Coalition for Battered WomenAbout the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women was founded in 1978 to serve as a unifying
voice for battered women and to link battered women’s programs in the state with the common
purpose of ending domestic violence.
MCBW is a statewide, member-based organization serving more than 84 local, regional, and
statewide member organizations, and their additional 42 satellite offices, that advocate for an end
to battering. The types of programs operated by MCBW members include battered women’s
shelters and safe homes, community advocacy programs, criminal justice intervention projects,
state and national training and technical assistance organizations, human rights organizations,
and homeless shelters and transitional housing programs. Members include 16 culturally specific
and population specific programs serving differing communities.
MCBW promotes individual, institutional, and cultural social change and works to end
oppression based on gender, race, age, sexual orientation, class, and disability. The key program
areas of MCBW include: public policy advocacy; information and resources; public awareness;
training and technical assistance; and networking.
MCBW’s activities include resources and referrals for individuals, legislative and public policy
advocacy on a statewide and federal level, sponsoring training events for programs that serve
battered women, coordinating statewide task force meetings, serving as an information
clearinghouse, publishing a quarterly newsletter and web site, and public awareness and
prevention initiatives.
Mission StatementMission StatementMission StatementMission Statement:
The mission of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women is to provide a voice for battered
women and member programs; challenge systems and institutions so they respond more
effectively to the needs of battered women and their children; promote social change; and
support, educate, and connect member programs.
Vision StatementVision StatementVision StatementVision Statement:
The vision of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women is to end violence against women and
their children and to achieve social justice for all.
2009 FEMICIDE REPORT
26
In 2009, at least 28 Minnesotans lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.
Remember their names…
1. January 11, 2009 Tina Marie Tracy, Virginia – St. Louis County, died after being
pushed out of a moving vehicle.
2. January 25, 2009 Brittany Givens – Copeland, Bloomington-Hennepin County,
died as a result of strangulation.
3. February 24, 2009 Sharon Kathleen Nyren, Fairhaven Township-Stearns County,
died as a result of gunshot.
4. March 4, 2009 Baby Shaw, St. Paul – Ramsey County, died of head trauma and
internal injuries.
5. March 5, 2009 Jennifer Linnear, St. Paul – Ramsey County. Died as a result of
stabbing.
6. March 28, 2009 Sath, Savang, Big Lake- Sherburne County, died as a result of
gunshot.
7. March 31, 2009 Julia Leigh Rivera, Richfield-Hennepin County, died of massive
brain swelling.
8. April 5, 2009 Marianne Fogolin, Eagan-Dakota County, died as a result of
gunshot
9. April 19, 2009 Heather Rose McPherson, Plymouth-Hennepin County, died as a
result of gunshot
10. May 2, 2009 Tobista Beyena Mokonnen, Richfield- Hennepin County, died as
a result of stabbing
11. June 21, 2009 Jody Lee Morrow, Albert Lea- Freeborn County, died as a
result of a beating.
12. June 23, 2009 Nicholas Miller, Northfield- Rice County, died as a result of
brain injuries
13. July 4, 2009 Alexander Heikes, Minneapolis-Hennepin County died from
internal injuries as a result of being squeezed
14. July 5, 2009 Baby Hanson, Cannon Falls-Goodhue County, died of severe
abusive traumatic head injuries
15. July 6, 2009 Michael Vonheath Brecht Jr. South Saint Paul-Dakota County,
died of drug overdose
16. July 30, 2009 Erica Ann Wilson, Circle Pines-Anoka County, died of gunshot
17. August 5, 2009 Candice L. Ouelette, Harris-Chisago County, died of
strangulation
18. August 22, 2009 Jaden Zander Hummel- Smith, Bloomington-Hennepin County
“complex homicide violence”
19. August 28, 2009 Willie Ervin Franklin, Golden Valley-Hennepin County, died of
suffocation
20. September 7, 2009 Officer Richard Crittenden, North St. Paul – Ramsey County, died
. from a gunshot.
27
21. September 10, 2009 Julian James-Robert Williams, Saint Paul-Ramsey County,
died of beating
22. October 1, 2009 Pamela A. Taschuk, Lino Lakes -Anoka County, died of gunshot
23. October 10, 2009 Lori Roberts, Doran-Wilkin County, died of gunshot
24. October 21, 2009 Matthew David Albert, Shooks - Beltrami County, died of a .
. gunshot.
25. October 30, 2009 Avory Rafferty, Ortonville-Big Stone County, died from
. unspecified causes.
26. November 2, 2009 Jean A. Wassenaar, Saint Paul- Ramsey County, died of Multiple
traumatic injuries
27. December 3, 2009 Kathryn Rose Anderson, Owatonna -Steele County, died from
stab wounds and exposure
28. December 11, 2009 Trudy Kline Propps, Stillwater-Washington County, died of
gunshot
_____________________________________________________________________________ 2009 FEMICIDE REPORT